JP2001346075A - Image quality selecting method and digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy menu display system which is easily understood without causing confusion when a user selects photographing image quality. SOLUTION: The selection candidate of a photographing pixel number and the selection candidate of an image compression rate are displayed on a setting screen for setting photographing image quality in a two-dimensional arrayal form and the combination state of the selectable pixel number and compression rate is presented to the user. The movement indication of a cursor which indicates a selection position is received on the screen and setting is changed into the one with the pixel number and compression rate indicated by the cursor position by deciding the cursor position. For example, when 2400×1800, 1280×960 and 640×480 are selected as the pixel number and three kinds being Fine, Normal and Basic are selected as the compression rate, the candidate of the selectable compression rate is displayed concerning the pixel number when the pixel number is selected. It is favorable that display is performed together with a photographing possible number or an animation photographing possible time which are calculated from the capacity of recording media under the combination of the pixel number with the compression rate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method for selecting a photographing image quality applied to a digital camera and a camera using the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, the image quality of a recorded image in a digital camera is defined by two parameters: the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio. In a conventional digital camera, the number of photographing pixels and the image compression ratio are independent setting items, and those that can be individually set or a combination of a specific photographing pixel number and a specific image compression ratio are selected, and the number of photographing pixels is determined. And image compression ratio can be set together.

[0003]

However, a digital camera capable of separately setting the number of pixels and the compression ratio cannot confirm the type of compression ratio when selecting the number of pixels, and conversely, when selecting the compression ratio, the number of pixels cannot be confirmed. I don't know the type. In the case of a type in which a combination of the number of pixels and the compression ratio is selected, the combination is simply presented in a list, or
There is a drawback that the comprehensive image quality evaluation realized by the combination is simply presented by a simple symbol such as the number of stars, and the actual combination of the number of pixels and the compression ratio cannot be easily grasped. .

In a conventional camera, when a menu for setting the number of pixels to be shot and the image compression ratio is a special mode (such as a setup mode), when the number of pixels and the compression ratio are selected in the setup mode or the like, the shooting is performed. I could not know the number of possible sheets. On the other hand, when the setting of the number of pixels and the compression ratio can be switched in the still image shooting mode, the number of images that can be shot also changes due to the switching,
In a camera having an information display screen in addition to an image display liquid crystal display (LCD), even if the number of images may change, the display of the allowable moving image shooting time is not performed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an image quality selection method and a digital camera capable of presenting to a user in an easy-to-understand manner how a combination of the number of pixels and a compression ratio are set. The purpose is to provide. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image quality selection method and a digital camera that realize a function that helps a user determine which combination should be selected when selecting a shooting image quality.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an image quality selection method according to the present invention includes a setting screen for setting a shooting image quality, a selection candidate of the number of shooting pixels and a selection of an image compression ratio. Candidates are displayed in a two-dimensional array, the user can be presented with selectable combinations of the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio, a cursor movement instruction is accepted on the screen, and the cursor position is determined by determining the cursor position. It is characterized in that the setting is changed to the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio indicated by the position.

According to the present invention, as a user interface for specifying two parameters of the number of photographing pixels and the image compression ratio that define the photographing image quality, a selection candidate of the number of photographing pixels and a selection candidate of the image compression ratio are displayed on a setting screen. Are presented to the user in an easy-to-understand two-dimensional array form, and the combination mode can be designated by moving the cursor. Thus, the user can understand at a glance the combination of the number of photographing pixels and the image compression ratio, and can easily determine the photographing image quality without confusion.

In particular, by displaying the number of images that can be photographed under the number of pixels and the image compression ratio selected by the cursor on the setting screen, the user selects the image quality taking into account the number of images that can be photographed. it can.

[0009] In the case of moving image shooting, a moving image shootable time is displayed instead of the number of shootable images. In a camera capable of switching between the still image shooting mode and the moving image shooting mode, there is also a mode in which the number of shootable images and the possible time of moving image shooting are displayed together.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a previously set combination of the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio is stored, and one of the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio is switched by a user operation. Sometimes, based on the stored information, a cursor is automatically moved to the position of the image compression ratio or the position of the number of photographed pixels according to the previous setting with respect to the other selection candidate. According to this aspect, the previous setting contents can be easily reset, and the operability is improved.

When either the number of photographed pixels or the image compression ratio is switched by a user operation, the position of the predetermined default image compression ratio or the predetermined number of photographed pixels is determined for the other selection candidate. There is also a mode in which the cursor is automatically moved to the position.

In order to provide a digital camera embodying the above method invention, a digital camera according to the present invention includes a photographing lens, an image pickup device for converting light incident through the photographing lens into an electric signal, and the image pickup device A signal processing unit for processing a signal output from the camera, a photographing instruction input operation unit for giving a photographing start instruction for acquiring a recording image, and an image photographed in response to the operation of the photographing instruction input operation unit Means for recording the image quality on a recording medium, display means capable of displaying a setting screen for setting the image quality, and a selection candidate for the number of imaging pixels and a selection candidate for the image compression ratio on the screen of the display means. A display control means for displaying in a dimensional array form and presenting a selectable combination of the number of photographing pixels and an image compression ratio; and moving a cursor indicating a selected position on the screen of the display means. Cursor operating means for inputting an instruction that, the settlement instruction means for instructing confirmation of the selected position at which the cursor is shown, in accordance with settlement instruction by the confirmation instruction means,
Image quality setting means for changing settings to the number of photographing pixels and the image compression ratio indicated by the cursor position.

In the digital camera of the present invention,
Calculating means for calculating at least one of the number of recordable images and the moving image recordable time from the capacity of the recording medium for the combination of the number of photographing pixels and the image compression ratio; Alternatively, it is preferable that the movie shooting possible time or both are displayed on the setting screen.

Also, as the setting screen, a grid-like table in which one of the selection candidates of the number of photographed pixels and the selection candidate of the image compression ratio is arranged in rows in the horizontal direction and the other is arranged in columns in the vertical direction. Is created, and in each cell of the table, there is also a mode in which the number of shootable images and / or the moving image shootable time when a combination of the number of shooting pixels and the image compression ratio corresponding to the cell are selected are displayed.

As one mode of the digital camera of the present invention,
A storage unit for storing a combination mode of the number of photographing pixels and the image compression ratio set in the past, wherein the display control unit switches either the number of photographing pixels or the image compression ratio by operating the cursor operating unit. Preferably, based on the information stored in the storage unit, the cursor is automatically moved to the position of the image compression ratio or the number of photographed pixels according to the previous setting based on the information stored in the storage unit. .

According to a digital camera of still another aspect of the present invention, when one of the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio is switched by operating the cursor operation unit, the display control unit controls the other. Regarding the choice of,
It is characterized in that a cursor is automatically moved to a position of a predetermined default image compression ratio or a position of the number of photographed pixels.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an image quality selection method and a digital camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are a front view, a rear view, a plan view, a bottom view, and a right side view, respectively, showing the appearance of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. This camera is a digital camera 10 with an audio playback function, and is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the outer surface has a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is formed in a size that fits into a pocket of clothes.

On the front of the digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 1, a retractable photographing lens 12, a finder window 14, a strobe 16, a strobe light control sensor 18, a microphone 19,
And a self-timer lamp 20. In addition, a lens cover (not shown in FIG. 1 and denoted by reference numeral 22 in FIG. 6) which is opened and closed at a retracted position of the photographing lens 12 is provided on a front surface of the digital camera 10.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the lens cover 22 is opened. Reference numeral 23 denotes a portion corresponding to a grip portion of the camera.

On the back of the digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 2, a viewfinder 24, a mode dial 26, a right key 2
8, left key 30, up / down lever 32, menu / execute key 34, cancel / return key 36, display key 3
8, a liquid crystal monitor 40, and the like. The mode dial 26 changes the function of the camera in the camera mode. By rotating the mode dial 26, a shooting mode for performing still shooting, a playback mode for playing back shot images, or a movie for shooting moving images. Set the mode.

The right key 28, the left key 30, and the up / down lever 32 are used to input corresponding four directions (right, left, up, and down). Functions as a forward frame forward button and a reverse frame forward button in the playback mode, respectively.
In the camera mode, it functions as a zoom lever for adjusting the magnification of the electronic zoom. When the menu mode is set by the menu / execute key 34, the right key 28, the left key 30, and the up / down lever 32 are used to select a menu from a list of menus or to select various setting items in each menu. Functions as an operation button for instructing selection.

The menu / execute key 34 is used when a transition is made from the normal screen of each mode to the menu screen, when the selection is confirmed, and when execution (confirmation) of processing is instructed.

The cancel / return key 36 is used to cancel (cancel) an item selected from the menu or to return to the previous operation state.

The liquid crystal monitor 40 can be used as an electronic finder for confirming the angle of view, and can also be used for photographed images and a memory card (72 in FIG. 6).
) Can be displayed. Selection of menus using the right key 28, left key 30 and up / down lever 32 and setting of various setting items in each menu are also performed using the display screen of the liquid crystal monitor 40. Further, the liquid crystal monitor 40 also displays information such as the number of images that can be taken (number of frames) and the number of reproduced frames, whether or not strobe light is emitted, macro mode display, image compression ratio (quality) display, number of pixels display, and the like.

A shutter button 42, a mode setting switch 44 also serving as a power switch, and a flash button 46 are provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 10 shown in FIG. The shutter button 42 is also used as a recording button (recording start / stop button) in the case of moving image recording.

The mode setting switch 44 is a slide switch which is locked when the knob moves rightward (audio mode position) in FIG. 3 and is not locked when the knob moves leftward. When the knob is moved to the right and locked, set the audio mode,
Each time the knob moves to the left, the camera mode and the OFF mode for turning off the power in the camera are alternately set.

When the audio mode is set by the mode setting switch 44, various switches of the camera body do not function, and an earphone (headphone) connected to a remote control terminal (described as 56 in FIG. 5) described later.
Only a switch of a remote controller (not shown) provided with is received. Even if the audio mode is set by the mode setting switch 44, the remote control terminal 5
When the remote controller is not connected to the remote controller 6, the power in the camera is kept OFF. When the remote controller is operated after the remote controller is connected to the remote controller terminal 56, the power in the camera is turned ON.

On the bottom of the digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 4, a battery cover 48 also serving as a slot cover for a memory card (in this case, smart media) and a tripod screw hole 50 are provided. Digital camera 1 shown in FIG.
The speaker 52, an audio / video output (VIDEO OUT) terminal 54, a remote control terminal 56 including an audio output terminal, and a digital (USB)
A terminal 58 and a power input terminal 60 are provided.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 10. In the figure, a central processing unit (CPU) 70 includes a mode setting switch 44, a mode dial 26, a shutter button 42, and other operation units 6
1 and overall control of each circuit in the digital camera 10 based on input from a remote controller or the like (not shown). Operation unit 61
Are the right key 28, the left key 30, the up / down lever 3
2. Menu / Execute key 34, Cancel / Return key 3
6, a block including input operation means such as a display key 38; Reference numeral 71 denotes an internal bus.

When the mode setting switch 44 is set from the OFF mode to the camera mode, the CPU 70 detects this, turns on the power supply inside the camera, and performs control for opening the lens cover 22 and the like. When the mode setting switch 44 is set from the camera mode to the OFF mode or the audio mode, the CPU 70 detects this, and performs control for closing the lens cover 22 and the like.

Here, when the lens cover 22 is opened, the CPU 70 rotates the motor 64 forward through the driver 62, and when the lens cover 22 is closed, the CPU 64 reversely rotates the motor 64 via the driver 62. The signal to be output is output. When the lens cover 22 is closed, the photographing lens 12 is controlled in advance to move to the retracted position.

When the camera mode is set by the mode setting switch 44, the shooting mode is set by the mode dial 26, and when the shutter button 42 is pressed,
The PU 70 detects this, performs still photography, and records one frame of image data obtained during the photography on the memory card 72. That is, the CPU 70 performs focus control and exposure control, and forms subject light on the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device (CCD) 74 via the photographing lens 12.

The CCD 74 converts the subject light imaged on the light receiving surface into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the light amount. The signal charge thus accumulated is sequentially read out as a voltage signal corresponding to the signal charge. The voltage signals sequentially read from the CCD 74 are applied to a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS circuit) 76 where the R, G, and B signals for each pixel are sampled and held, amplified, and A / D converted. Unit 78. The A / D converter 78 includes R, G,
The B signal is a 10-bit (0 to 1023) digital R,
The signals are converted into G and B signals and output to the image signal processing circuit 80.

The image signal processing circuit 80 includes the A / D converter 7
Predetermined image processing such as synchronization processing for converting point-sequential R, G, and B signals added from 8 in a simultaneous manner, white balance adjustment, gamma correction, and YC signal processing are performed. The luminance signal Y and the chroma signals Cr and Cb (YC signals) created by the YC signal processing of the image signal processing circuit 80 are converted into a predetermined format (for example,
After being compressed in the JPEG format, it is recorded on the memory card 72 via the media control circuit 84.

The form of the recording medium is not limited to smart media, but may be a PC card, a compact flash (registered trademark), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a memory stick, or the like, and may be electronic, magnetic, or optical. Alternatively, various media that can be read and written according to a system based on a combination thereof can be used. Signal processing means and interfaces corresponding to the medium used are applied. Regardless of the type of recording media, different recording media may be used so that a plurality of recording media can be attached to the camera body. The means for storing image data and music data is not limited to a removable medium detachable from the camera body, but may be a recording medium (internal memory) built in the camera.

When the camera mode is set by the mode setting switch 44 and the movie mode is set by the mode dial 26, moving image recording becomes possible.
Pressing the shutter button 42 starts the recording operation, and pressing the shutter button 42 again stops the recording operation. The recording operation may be performed while the shutter button 42 is kept pressed, and the recording may be stopped when the shutter button 42 is released. The moving image data is recorded on the memory card 72 in the motion JPEG format, for example.

On the other hand, when the camera mode is set by the mode setting switch 44 and the playback mode is set by the mode dial 26, the image file of the last frame recorded on the memory card 72 is read out via the media control circuit 84. It is. The read compressed data of the image file is expanded into an uncompressed YC signal via a compression / expansion circuit 82.

The expanded YC signal is converted into an NTSC color composite video signal via an image reproduction processing circuit 86 and a video encoding circuit 88, output to the liquid crystal monitor 40, and output to the audio / video output terminal 54 ( (See FIG. 5). As a result, the frame image of the last frame recorded on the memory card 72 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40, and when a television receiver (not shown) is connected to the audio / video output terminal 54, The frame image of the last frame is displayed on the television receiver.

Thereafter, when the right key 28 is pressed, frame advance is performed in the forward direction, and when the left key 30 is pressed, frame advance is performed in the reverse direction. Then, the image file at the frame position where the frame is advanced is read from the memory card 72, and the frame image is reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 40 in the same manner as described above. still,
When the frame is advanced in the forward direction while the frame image of the last frame is displayed, the image file of the first frame recorded on the memory card 72 is read, and the frame image of the first frame is displayed on the LCD monitor. The image is reproduced on the image display device 40, a television receiver, or another image display device.

When the file to be reproduced is a moving image file, the first frame of the moving image is displayed as a representative image, and a screen for receiving an instruction to start reproducing the moving image is displayed.

Next, the audio reproducing function of the digital camera 10 will be described. This audio playback function is based on MP3 (MPEG-1) recorded on the memory card 72.
Audio layer-III) format and other music files are played. When the audio mode is set by the mode setting switch 44 and a remote control with an earphone is connected to the remote control terminal 56, the power in the camera is turned off.
N, and audio reproduction becomes possible. In the audio mode, the CPU 70 receives only a remote control signal from the remote controller, and does not receive any switch input other than the mode setting switch 44 also serving as a power switch of the camera body.

When the play button of the remote control is pressed while the digital camera 10 is set to the audio mode,
Memory card 7 via media control circuit 84
2, the music file is read. Of course, the music file is directly stored in the memory card 72 from the personal computer or the digital (USB) terminal 5 of the digital camera 10.
8 (see FIG. 5).

The compressed data of the music file read from the memory card 72 is expanded into uncompressed music data via the compression / expansion circuit 82. The expanded music data is subjected to processing such as D / A conversion by the audio processing circuit 90, and is converted into an analog audio signal. The converted audio signal is amplified by the audio reproduction circuit 92 and output as audio via an audio output terminal in the remote control terminal 56 and an earphone (not shown).

Next, the procedure for setting the image quality of the digital camera 10 configured as described above will be described. When the power / mode setting switch 44 is turned ON, the digital camera 10
Starts up in camera mode. When the photographing mode or the movie mode is set by the mode dial 26, the digital camera 10 is in a photographable state. At this time, when the display key 38 is pressed, the CCD 74 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40.
The real-time image captured by is displayed. When the mode dial 26 is set to the reproduction mode, the image data is read from the memory card 72, and one frame of the latest recorded image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40.

When the menu / execute key 34 is pressed in each of the shooting mode, movie mode, and playback mode, a menu screen corresponding to each mode is displayed. For example, when the menu / execute key 34 is pressed in the shooting mode (or the movie mode), menu items related to the shooting mode (or the movie mode) are displayed, and the "image quality setting" item is included in the menu items. Shall be. When the item of "image quality setting" is selected by the right key 28, the left key 30, or the up / down lever 32, a menu screen of the image quality setting as shown in FIG.

In the case of this example, the number of photographing pixels is 2400 × 1800,
1280 × 960 and 640 × 480 can be selected, and three types of image compression rates can be selected: Fine mode, Normal mode, and Basic mode. As the order of image quality in these modes, Fine mode has the highest image quality,
Next, the image quality decreases in the order of Normal mode and Basic mode. For example, Fine mode is 1/4 (JPEG) compression, Norm
al mode is 1/8 (JPEG) compression, Basic mode is 1/1
6 (JPEG) compression processing.

If the "compression ratio" is defined as the ratio of the data amount after compression processing to the original data amount, the larger the compression ratio, the smaller (lower) the degree of compression and the higher the image quality. It becomes an image. On the other hand, when the denominator in the case of what percentage of the original data amount is reduced by the compression process is defined as “compression ratio”, the larger the value is, the lower the image quality is.

Some cameras have a non-compression mode in which no compression processing is performed. Since non-compression can be considered as a mode in which the highest quality compression ratio is selected, selecting the non-compression mode is also included in the concept of "selection of compression ratio".

In the menu screen shown in FIG. 7, the number of photographed pixels is expressed as “pixel”, the image compression ratio is expressed as “quality”, and 2400 × 1800 is “2400”, 1800 × 960 is “1280”, 640 × 480 is displayed as “640”. When the menu screen is entered, the cursor is located at the position of the combination of the number of pixels and the compression ratio according to the current setting. In the figure, the cursor position changes to a color that can be distinguished from the others.

In the case of FIG. 9A, pixel = “2400”,
The cursor is at the position of Quality = "Normal". In this state, when the right key 28 or the left key 30 is pressed, the compression ratio can be changed with the pixel number “2400”. For example, when the right key 28 is pressed, the position of the cursor moves to "Basic" as shown in FIG. Left key 3 in the state of FIG.
Pressing 0 returns to the display of FIG.

The current cursor position (for example, “Normal” in the case of FIG. 10A, and “Ba” in the case of FIG.
"sic") "right triangle mark" 9 displayed above
4R and the “left triangle mark” 94L indicate to the user that the compression ratio can be changed by operating the right key 28 or the left key 30. However, when the key operation is invalidated, the corresponding triangle mark is not displayed.

The number of pixels is changed by operating the up / down lever 32. Operating the up / down lever 32 upward corresponds to pressing the up key, and operating the up / down lever 32 downward corresponds to pressing the down key. When the number of pixels is changed by the up / down lever 32, candidates for a selectable compression ratio for the selected number of pixels are displayed, and the position of the cursor is moved. By operating the up / down lever 32 downward on the screen of FIG. 7A, the number of pixels is set to “12”.
If you change to “80”, as shown in FIG.
The column for selection of the compression ratio for the item disappears, and instead, "12
80 "is displayed. In this example, when the number of pixels is “1280”, “Fine” or “Norma
"Basic" is not displayed because the specification is such that "Basic" cannot be selected.

At this time, the cursor position is set at the compression ratio (in this case, 1280) set in the latest past.
"Fine"). If there is no previously set history, an appropriate default position (or, if possible, the current setting position) is used. Regarding the change in the number of pixels, a “downward triangle mark” 96D and / or an “upward triangle mark” 96U or both are displayed on the right side of the current cursor position, and the user can change the number of pixels by operating the up / down lever 32. It indicates that it is possible. When a key is invalid, the corresponding triangle is not displayed.

By operating the right key 28 (in this case, only the right key 28 is valid) in FIG. 3C, the compression ratio can be changed to "Normal" as shown in FIG. When the left key 30 is pressed in FIG.
Return to display.

When the upper / lower lever 32 is operated downward in the state shown in FIG. 7C or FIG. 7D, the cursor moves to the position of the number of pixels "640" as shown in FIG. At the same time, the compression rate selection candidate column for "1280" disappears, and instead, the compression ratio selection candidate column for "640" is displayed. In this example, when the number of pixels is “640”, “Norma
Since only "l" can be specified and "Fine" or "Basic" cannot be selected, only "Normal" is displayed and no other selection candidates are displayed.

In the digital camera 10 of this embodiment, the selectable compression ratio is limited by the number of pixels. However, all the compression ratios may be selected for each number of pixels. That is, three types of compression rates can be selected for each of the three types of pixels, and there is also a mode in which a total of nine combinations are possible.
Of course, the number of selection candidates can be appropriately designed,
If at least one of the number of pixels and the compression ratio has two or more types of selection candidates, a two-dimensional display form is possible. It is also preferable that the selection candidates are color-coded for easy understanding.

In the lower row of the image quality setting screen (pixel / quality set menu screen) shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the operations of “set → [execute]” and “stop → cancel” are performed. Information is displayed. This shows a method of item determination on this menu screen. “Execute key”, that is, the menu /
The execution key 34 is used to confirm the setting at the current cursor position as a setting item, and the setting contents are set in the camera by pressing the menu / execution key 34.
The "cancel key", that is, the cancel / return key 36 shown in FIG. 2 is used when returning to the previously set item or when exiting from this menu screen.

In the case of exiting from the pixel / quality set menu, the previously set compression ratios of the pixels other than the pixel number of the final decision item are stored in the nonvolatile memory (for example, the internal memory of the CPU 70). Shall be memorized.

Next, when the menu of the pixel / quality set is entered next time and the number of pixels is moved by a user operation, the cursor is moved according to the data stored in the nonvolatile memory. As a result, the previous setting state can be easily reset. Of course, a mode is also possible in which a default value of the compression ratio as a selection candidate is defined in advance for each pixel number, and the cursor is moved to the position indicated by the default value.

As a modification of the above embodiment, when the number of pixels and the compression ratio are selected, it is preferable to display the number of images that can be photographed (the number of images that can be photographed) under the settings.
The CPU 70 calculates the number of shootable images from the capacity of the memory card 72 for the combination of the number of image pixels and the image compression ratio. The calculated number of shootable images is displayed at a predetermined position on the setting screen, for example, at the upper right of the screen as shown in FIG. In the figure, the number of pixels is "2400" and the compression ratio is "Norma
“l” indicates that 77 still images can be recorded.

The display position of the number of shootable images is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 8, and may be displayed at the lower right of the screen, or may be displayed anywhere in a blank area other than the selection candidate display area for the number of pixels and the compression ratio.
As shown in FIG. 9, there is also a mode in which the number of shootable images is displayed above (or below) the current cursor position. As described above, by presenting the number of shootable images in the combination related to the selection before finalizing the setting of the image quality, the user can determine the image quality taking the number of shootable images into consideration.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. Also in this embodiment, the number of imaging pixels is 2400
× 1800, 1280 × 960, 640 × 480 can be selected, and the image compression rate is “Fine”, “Normal”, “Basi
c ”can be selected. In the example shown in the figure, the selection candidates “2400”, “1280” and “640” for the number of pixels are arranged in the vertical direction (column), and the selection candidates “Fine” and “No
A grid-like table in which "rmal" and "Basic" are arranged in the horizontal direction (rows) is created. In each cell (cell) of this table, the number of shootable images when a combination of the number of pixels and the compression ratio corresponding to the cell is selected is displayed. However, the cell of the combination that cannot be selected due to the specifications of the camera is not displayed, and the cursor does not move.

FIG. 10 shows the maximum number of recordable images in a 64 MB smart media. For example, the number of pixels at the current cursor position is “2400” and the compression ratio is “Norm
The combination of “al” indicates that the number of recordable images is “77” from the capacity of the memory card 72. In addition,
As another form of the cursor, a frame may be displayed on the target cell.

The user selects the compression ratio with the right key 28 or the left key 30 and selects the number of pixels with the up / down lever 32 to determine the image quality. At the time of selection, the number of recordable images displayed in the cell can be referred to.

It is preferable that every time image data is stored in the memory card 72 after photographing is performed, the number of recordable images for the remaining capacity of the memory card 72 is recalculated and the display is updated. FIG. 11 shows the number of images that can be shot after one image is shot with the number of pixels set to “2400” and the compression ratio set to “Normal” from the state of FIG. If the calculated number of shootable images is "0
In the case of "sheet", the cursor may not be moved to the cell, or the display may not be displayed (not displayed) so that the cell cannot be selected. In addition, a user interface that issues a warning when the cursor moves to the position where the number of images that can be shot is “0” and prompts the user to change the number is also conceivable.

By the way, in the embodiment described with reference to FIG.
Based on the selection candidate of the number of pixels, the candidates of the compression ratio selectable for the number of pixels related to the selection are displayed. Conversely, based on the compression ratio, the pixels corresponding to the compression ratio related to the selection are displayed. A display form in which a number of candidates are presented is also possible. For example, as shown in FIG.
“Normal” and “Basic” are arranged in the vertical direction and displayed on the screen. When the compression rate “Fine” is selected, as shown in FIG. "2400" and "1280" are displayed side by side.

When the compression rate “Normal” is selected, as shown in FIG.
"1280" and "640" are displayed, and when the compression ratio "Basic" is selected, "1280" is displayed in the pixel number column as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the number of selectable pixels may be limited depending on the compression ratio, or all types of pixels may be selected for each compression ratio.

In the embodiment described above, a digital camera with an audio playback function has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The present invention can be applied to a digital still camera dedicated to recording still images, a digital movie camera dedicated to recording moving images, a video camera capable of recording still images and moving images, and the like.

Next, a further modification of the above embodiment will be described.

When a desired number of pixels and a desired compression ratio are selected on the image quality selection menu screen, the state of the recording medium (for example, the recordable capacity) is checked, and the number of still images that can be captured and the number of still images at the selected image quality are checked. It is preferable to calculate the photographable time of the moving image and display information on the number of recordable images and the moving image photographable time.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a display screen to which the display of the allowable moving image shooting time is added. It is assumed that the image quality of still image shooting can be selected on the image quality selection menu screen shown in FIG. In each cell (selectable cell) of the two-dimensional selection display table that presents a selection candidate of the number of pixels and a selection candidate of the compression ratio, the number of shootable still images is displayed. The movie shooting available time (410 seconds in this case) is displayed. The cell of the combination that cannot be selected is hidden, and the cursor movement to that position is prohibited, or a warning that the selection cannot be made is issued. This figure shows the maximum number of images that can be shot on an unrecorded card of a 64 MB smart media.

FIG. 14 shows display contents of the number of recordable images and the recordable time of a moving image after recording a moving image for 80 seconds in the movie mode from the state of FIG. The movie shooting time is "330 seconds", and the number of still images that can be shot is recalculated in accordance with the amount of recording media used for the movie recording. In this way, the remaining amount of the recording medium is checked, and the display is updated as needed.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which the image quality can be changed for both still image shooting and moving image shooting. In the figure, the number of pixels “1280” or “640” can be selected for movie shooting, and when the number of pixels is “1280”, the compression rate is further increased to “Fin”.
"e", "Normal", and "Basic" can be selected. When the number of pixels is "640", the compression ratio is "Fine". Of course, the selectable combination modes are not limited to this, and can be appropriately designed according to the specifications of the camera.

Each cell (selectable cell) in the two-dimensional selection display table that presents selection candidates for the number of pixels and compression ratios
Displays the number of shootable images and the possible moving image shooting time. In the same figure, the number of shootable images is displayed in the upper part of each cell, and the moving image shootable time is displayed in the lower part. For example, in the case of a combination of the number of pixels “2400” and the compression ratio “Normal”, it indicates that the number of recordable images = 77 and the possible moving image recording time = 12 seconds.

FIG. 16 shows another example of the display of the possible moving image shooting time. As described with reference to FIG. 7, when selecting the image quality, first, in the case of the menu system in which the number of pixels is selected and compression rate candidates that can be selected under the number of pixels related to the selection are presented, as in FIG. There is a mode in which the number of images that can be shot and the time that a moving image can be shot at the current cursor position are displayed at the same time in the upper right column outside the selection candidate display. FIG. 3A shows the number of pixels “2400” and the compression ratio “Norma
The cursor is located at the combination position of “l”. FIG. (b) is at the combination position of the pixel number “1280” and the compression ratio “Normal”, and FIG. (c) is at the combination position of the pixel number “640” and the compression ratio “Normal”. The cursor is located at each combination position.

FIG. 16 shows an example in which the image quality of still image shooting can be selected and the image quality of moving image shooting is fixed. The display of the video recording available time is changed accordingly.
In this case, when the calculated moving image recordable time becomes 0 seconds, it is also possible not to display the time or to display a warning indicating that moving image recording is impossible.

FIG. 16 shows a menu system for selecting a compression ratio in accordance with the selection of the number of pixels based on the selection candidate of the number of pixels. As shown in FIG. The same applies to a menu system that presents candidates for the number of pixels in accordance with the selection of the compression ratio.

Also, the recordable time of a music file (hereinafter referred to as a music file registrable time) is calculated from the capacity of the recording medium, and the information on the number of recordable times and the recordable time of a moving image, as well as the information on the registrable time of the music file is calculated. A display mode is also possible. Further, if the setting of the sound quality can be changed when recording the music file, the present invention can be applied to a screen for changing the setting.

For example, when the sound quality at the time of recording a music file is defined by two parameters of the number of samplings (the number of sound data) and the compression ratio, two-dimensional selection of the sampling number selection candidate and the compression ratio selection candidate is performed. The display is performed according to the display method, and the user can specify a desired combination from the display screen. Then, on this display screen, the music file registrable time is displayed for the selected combination of the number of samplings and the compression ratio. According to this aspect, the user can easily set the sound quality while using the music file registration available time as a guide.

[0080]

As described above, according to the image quality selecting method and the digital camera according to the present invention, selection candidates for the number of photographing pixels and the image compression ratio prepared in advance are displayed in an easy-to-understand two-dimensional array form. In this way, the user can understand at a glance the combination of the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio, and the photographing image quality can be easily determined.

Further, the number of shootable images is calculated for each combination of the number of selectable image pixels and the image compression ratio, and in the case of a moving image, the shootable time is calculated and displayed on the selection screen. The image quality can be determined with reference to the number of images and the movie shooting time.

In the conventional camera, the number of storable images and the movable time are not found unless the setting of the number of pixels and the compression ratio is selected. However, according to the present invention, when the number of pixels and the compression ratio are selected, the number of s Since the number of possible shots and the possible moving image shooting time are displayed, it helps to make a selection decision.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera of the present example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a setting screen (menu screen) of a shooting image quality is switched;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for presenting the number of shootable images together with a combination of a selectable number of pixels and a compression ratio.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of a screen for presenting the number of shootable images together with a combination of a selectable number of pixels and a compression ratio.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when a list of selectable combinations of the number of pixels and the compression ratio is displayed together with the number of shootable images.

11 is a diagram showing an example in which the display of the number of shootable images is changed after one image is shot from the state of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a movie shooting available time.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which the display of the number of recordable images and the displayable time of a moving image is changed after the moving image is shot for 80 seconds from the state of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example in which the number of recordable images and the recordable time of a moving image are simultaneously displayed in a list when both the still image recording image quality and the moving image recording image quality can be changed.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another display example of the number of shootable images and the possible moving image shooting time.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing still another display example of the number of recordable images and the moving image recordable time.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 digital camera, 12 photographing lens, 16 strobe (flash device), 23 grip part, 28 right key (cursor operating means), 30 left key (cursor operating means), 32 up / down lever ( Cursor operation means), 34
... Menu / execution key (confirmation instruction means), 40... Liquid crystal monitor (display means), 42... Shutter button (shooting instruction input operation section), 70 CPU (display control means, image quality setting means, calculation means), 72. Memory card (recording medium), 74 ... CCD (imaging device), 84 ... Media control circuit (recording means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // H04N 101: 00 H04N 5/92 HF term (Reference) 5C022 AA13 AC12 AC42 AC69 5C052 GA02 GA06 GB01 GB06 GC05 GE08 5C053 FA08 GB28 GB36 GB40 JA01 JA16 KA04 KA24 LA01 LA04 LA06

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A setting screen for setting photographing image quality, a selection candidate of the number of photographing pixels and a selection candidate of an image compression ratio are displayed in a two-dimensional array, and the number of photographing pixels and the number of images that can be selected are selected. Image quality characterized by presenting a combination of compression ratios to a user, accepting a cursor movement instruction on the screen, and changing the setting to the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio indicated by the cursor position when the cursor position is determined. Selection method. 2. The image quality selection method according to claim 1, wherein the number of images that can be photographed under the image compression ratio and the number of pixels selected by the cursor is displayed on the setting screen. 3. The setting screen displays, on the setting screen, a photographable time of a moving image that can be photographed under the number of photographed pixels and an image compression ratio selected by the cursor.
Image quality selection method described in. 4. A combination mode of the number of photographing pixels and the image compression rate set in the past is stored, and is stored when either the number of photographing pixels or the image compression rate is switched by a user operation. 2. The image quality selection method according to claim 1, wherein the cursor is automatically moved to the position of the image compression ratio or the position of the number of photographed pixels according to the previous setting based on the information. 5. When one of the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio is switched by a user operation, a position of a predetermined default image compression ratio or a predetermined number of photographed pixels is determined for the other selection candidate. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cursor is automatically moved to the position. 6. A photographing lens, an image sensor for converting light incident through the photographing lens into an electric signal, a signal processing unit for processing a signal output from the image sensor, and acquiring a recording image. Instruction input operation unit for giving an instruction to start imaging for recording, recording means for recording an image captured on a recording medium in response to operation of the imaging instruction input operation unit, and setting for setting image quality A display unit capable of displaying a screen, and a selection candidate of the number of photographing pixels and a selection candidate of the image compression ratio are displayed in a two-dimensional array on the screen of the display unit, so that the number of selectable photographing pixels and image compression are selected. Display control means for presenting an aspect ratio combination, cursor operation means for inputting an instruction to move a cursor indicating a selected position on the screen of the display means, and determination of the selected position indicated by the cursor And Shimesuru confirmation instruction means, in accordance with settlement instruction by the confirmation instruction means, the digital camera comprising: the image quality setting means for changing the setting of the number of captured pixels and image compression rate the cursor position is shown, the. 7. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein the camera has at least one of the number of recordable images and the moving image recordable time based on the capacity of the recording medium with respect to the combination of the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio. A digital camera, comprising: a calculating unit that calculates the number of images that can be shot and / or the time that a moving image can be shot calculated by the calculating unit. 8. A grid-like table in which, as the setting screen, one of the photographing pixel number selection candidate and the image compression ratio selection candidate is arranged in rows in the horizontal direction and the other is arranged in columns in the vertical direction. Is created, and in each cell of the table, the number of shootable images and / or the moving image shootable time when a combination of the number of shooting pixels and the image compression ratio corresponding to the cell is selected are displayed. The digital camera according to claim 7. 9. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein said camera has storage means for storing a combination mode of a previously set number of photographing pixels and an image compression ratio, and said display control means includes: When one of the number of photographed pixels and the image compression ratio is switched by the operation of the operation unit, based on the information stored in the storage unit, the image compression ratio of the other setting candidate is set based on the previous setting. A digital camera, wherein the cursor is automatically moved to a position or a position of the number of photographing pixels. 10. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein the display control means selects one of the number of photographed pixels and the image compression rate by operating the cursor operation means, and selects the other selection candidate. A digital camera which automatically moves a cursor to a position of a predetermined default image compression ratio or a position of the number of photographed pixels.